EXplaining The News

News headlines

News highlights

Ford Kenya castigates NASA for not including party member in EALA nominee list

Ford-Kenya Assistant Secretary General Yasser Ali Sheikh has faulted the Opposition alliance for failing to take into consideration the inclusion of a member from Ford-K as one of its coalition partners in its East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) list of nominees. Sheikh is in court to challenge the list, which was forwarded to the National Assembly for approval by the NASA party. He stated that he was aggrieved by the list since it bears no nominee from his political party.

MPs call for peace and reconcilliation following passing of Kitui West MP Francis Nyenze

Members of Parliament have been challenged to provide leadership and reconcile the country as the best tribute they can pay to Kitui West MP Francis Nyenze who passed away Wednesday after succumbing to colon cancer. Kisumu Town West MP Olago Aluoch who was among MPs to eulogised the former Minority Leader said Nyenze had always felt that the House had abdicated its role as the people’s representative. House Leaders Aden Duale (Garissa Township) and John Mbadi (Suba South) led MPs Makali Mulu (Kitui East), Cecil Mbarire (Nominated) in describing Nyenze as a natural arbitrator who listened to divergent views.

Director of Public Prosecutions withdraws 125 corruption cases due to EACC irregularities

Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Keriako Tobiko has withdrawn 125 corruption cases and sent them back to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission for review. Tobiko’s decision was informed by the Court of Appeal judgement in former Cabinet Secretary Michael Kamau’s case where it found that the EACC was not properly constituted when it recommended his prosecution. Among the cases affected is that of former National Youth Service Director General Nelson Githinji who stands accused of abusing his office by using public resources to service his personal vehicle at a cost of half a million.

Business highlights

World Bank cuts Kenya’s 2017 economic growth estimate to 4.9%

The World Bank has cut its 2017 growth estimate for Kenya’s economy to 4.9%, which would be the slowest annual expansion in five years, due to drought, sluggish credit growth and a prolonged election season, it said on Thursday. The lender had already cut its initial forecast by half a percentage point in April, to 5.5 %, due to a severe drought in the first half of the year and the drop in private sector growth.

An estimated 450 women entrepreneurs engaged in clean energy in Kenya and Tanzania are set to receive funding through a partnership between Energy4Impact and M-Changa, Africa’s leading crowdfunding platform. The campaign is seeking to raise funds to purchase electric briquette machines, increase stock of solar lighting products, purchase raw materials and construct kilns for production of complete cookstoves. The partnership will also see the women entrepreneurs engaged in the clean cooking and off-grid lighting supply chains, being coached and mentored by Energy 4 Impact through the Women Integration into Renewable Energy (WIRE) programme.

Kenya joins 200 countries in drive to eliminate plastic waste

Kenya has joined a list of more than 200 countries that signed a United Nations resolution in Nairobi on Wednesday to eliminate plastic pollution in the sea. Delegates hope that the move will pave the way to a legally binding treaty. If current pollution rates continue, there will be more plastic in the sea than fish by 2050, said the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) which organised the meeting. Eight million tonnes of plastic – bottles, packaging and other waste – are dumped into the ocean every year, killing marine life and entering the human food chain, UNEP added.

Sports highlights

Liverpool beat Spartak Moscow 7-0 to secure top spot in Group E of Champions League

Liverpool’s front four put on an attacking masterclass as they thrashed Spartak Moscow 7-0 at Anfield to finish top of Group E in the Champions League. On a night of devastating attacking play, Philippe Coutinho netted a hat-trick (4, 15, 50), Saido Mane scored twice (47, 76) while Roberto Firmino (19) and Mohamed Salah (86) grabbed one goal each. The result ensured Jurgen Klopp’s men reached the knockout stages of the Champions League for the first time since 2008/09. The draw for the last 16 takes place on Monday.

Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player to score in all six games of the Champions League group stage as Real Madrid beat Dortmund 3-2 at the Bernabeu. The Portugal forward whipped home a terrific shot from 20 yards on 12 minutes in a lightning start by the hosts in which Borja Mayoral (8) also scored his first European goal. Dortmund finally woke midway through the first-half and two goals from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang either side of half-time hauled the visitors back into the game.

Michy Batshuayi scores twice for Chelsea as Blues beat MK Dons 4-0

Michy Batshuayi scored twice on Checkatrade Trophy duty as Chelsea’s development squad reached the last 16 with a 4-0 win at MK Dons. Batshuayi, who came off the bench the night before in the Blues’ Champions League draw with Atletico Madrid, was back on duty as part of his recovery from recent injury, hitting a first-half double as he came through 90 minutes unscathed. Callum Hudson-Odoi watched an effort squirm through Wieger Sietsma’s hands as the Blues took a three-goal lead into the break and Batshuayi played provider shortly before the hour mark, flicking forward a ball that Charly Musonda dispatched to complete the rout.